The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is in contact with 39 registered New Zealanders in Iran, after two weeks of deadly protests in the country.
According to international reports, the demonstrations have resulted in the deaths of more than 500 people, with a further 10,600 believed to have been detained.
Protests began in Tehran in late December and have expanded across the country, and now included open chants of anti-government statements challenging Iran's theocracy.
Information coming from Iran has been scarce, as communications through the internet and phone has been cut off.
In a statement today, MFAT told 1News it has reiterated SafeTravel advice with Kiwis registered as being in Iran.
"The protests have resulted in a number of deaths, injuries, and significant arrests.
"New Zealanders are advised to avoid all demonstrations, rallies, and large public gatherings as they could turn violent with little warning."
During previous conflicts, MFAT said dual New Zealand-Iranian citizens being helped by their non-Iranian country of citizenship have been blocked from departing.
"The New Zealand Embassy in Tehran is operating but the ability of the New Zealand Government to provide consular assistance is extremely limited", it added.
"Any New Zealanders in the country should leave now."
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was "gravely concerned" by the reported killing of protesters in Iran.
"Peaceful protest is a fundamental human right. New Zealand calls upon Iranian security forces to refrain from violence."
He said SafeTravel has placed a "do not travel" advisory on the country.
"New Zealanders in Iran should continue to follow the latest SafeTravel advice."
Trump mulls response: 'Iran wants to negotiate'
US President Donald Trump said today that Iran proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown targeting demonstrators there, a move coming as activists said the death toll in protests rose to at least 544.
Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters Sunday night (local time). Asked about Iran’s threats of retaliation, he said: “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”
Speaking later on Air Force One, Trump said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters.
“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” Trump said. He added, “Iran wants to negotiate”.
He further stated: “The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate.”
There was no immediate acknowledgement from Iran of the offering for a meeting. The massive ongoing US military deployment to the Caribbean is a factor that the Pentagon and Trump’s national security planners must consider. Tehran also warned that the US military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators. President Donald Trump meanwhile said the Islamic Republic reached out and proposed negotiations.
– additional reporting from The Associated Press
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